Yarn covering spindle

ABSTRACT

A yarn covering spindle assembly for applying a covering yarn to a core yarn in which a bearing housing resiliently secured to a supporting frame is provided with resilient means for supporting spaced outer bearing rings which receive balls located in spaced inner raceways integrally formed on a shaft having a bore through which the core yarn is drawn. The shaft drives a pair of axially spaced centrifugal clutch members which are received in the hub of a spool carrying the covering yarn so that when the shaft is driven covering yarn from the spool is wrapped around the advancing core yarn. A shroud extending downwardly from the lower end of the lower clutch member cooperates with an annular flange on the housing to prevent the covering yarn from fouling on the shaft.

United States Patent McKee et al.

[ 51 June 17, 1975 YARN COVERING SPINDLE [73] Assignee: The Barden Corporation, Danbury,

Conn.

22 Filed: May 30,1974

21 App1.No.:474,534

[52] US. Cl 57/18; 57/127.5 [51] Int. Cl D01h 7/12 [58] Field of Search 57/16-18, 103, 57/l27.5, 127.7, 129, 130, 132; 242/465 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,048,002 8/1962 .lost 57/129 3,302,384 2/1967 Smith et a1 57/130 3,335,971 8/1967 Richter 242/465 3,360,208 12/1967 Winkler 242/465 3,508,389 4/1970 Chatin 57/16 3,640,057 2/1972 Branson 57/18 3,640,062 2/1972 Anderson et al. 57/130 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 297,354 3/1954 Switzerland 57/18 Primary Examiner-Donald E. Watkins Attorney, Agent, or FirmShenier & OConnor [57] ABSTRACT A yarn covering spindle assembly for applying a covering yarn to a core yarn in which a bearing housing resiliently secured to a supporting frame is provided with resilient means for supporting spaced outer bearing rings which receive balls located in spaced inner raceways integrally formed on a shaft having a bore through which the core yarn is drawn. The shaft drives a pair of axially spaced centrifugal clutch members which are received in the hub of a spool carrying the covering yarn so that when the shaft is driven covering yarn from the spool is wrapped around the advancing core yarn. A shroud extending downwardly from the lower end of the lower clutch member cooperates with an annular flange on the housing to prevent the covering yarn from fouling on the shaft.

17 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure PAT ENTEDJUN 17 I975 YARN COVERING SPINDLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION One of the operations which is to be performed in the textile industry is the application of a cover yarn which may, for example, be an inelastic yarn, to a core yarn which customarily is elastic. Various expcdients have been tried in the prior art for accomplishing this result. In one system which has been proposed the core yarn is passed through a bore in a shaft which carries a spool of cover yarn for rotation therewith. As the shaft is driven cover yarn from the spool is wrapped around the core yarn being advanced through the shaft bore. A particular example of such an apparatus is shown in Branson Pat. No. 3,640.057. In the arrangement shown in that patent a pair of spaced bearings encased in a housing support the lower end of the shaft. Pins carried by a flange on the shaft engage in holes in a flange of the spool carrying the covering yarn to provide a driving connection between the shaft and the spool. A pulley on the shaft intermediate the upper end of the bearing housing and the driving pin flange is adapted to receive a belt or the like to permit the shaft to be driven.

While arrangements of the prior art, such as that shown in the Branson patent supra successfully achieve the result of applying an inelastic covering yarn to an elastic core yarn, they are not as satisfactory as is desirable. If an attempt is made to drive the shaft at a relatively high speed, the life of the assembly is relatively short. They generate excessive noise and vibration when operated at relatively high speeds. They develop an excessive amount of heat and unbalance. The power requirement for driving the assembly is relatively great.

They do not readily accommodate unbalance in the covering yarn package.

We have invented a yarn covering spindle which represents an improvement over yarn covering spindles of the prior art. Our spindle is capable of successful operation at high speeds of up to about 50,000 rpm. Our assembly has a long life, even when operated at high speeds. It has a lower noise and vibration level than do assemblies of the prior art. It develops a relatively minimum amount of heat. Its power requirement is low. It will accept a range of spool sizes. It accommodates a relatively great unbalance in the covering yarn package.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One object of our invention is to provide a yarn covering spindle which is an improvement over yarn covering spindles of the prior art.

Another object of our invention is to provide a yarn covering spindle which is capable of operation at speeds up to 50,000 rpm.

A further object of our invention is to provide a yarn covering spindle which has a long life at high speeds.

Still another object of our invention is to provide a yarn covering spindle which has a low noise and vibration level at high speeds.

Still another object of our invention is to provide a yarn covering spindle which generates little heat when operated at high speed.

Yet another object of our invention is to provide a yarn covering spindle which will accept a relatively great imbalance in the covering yarn spool.

A still-further object of our invention is to provide a yarn covering spindle which has a low power requirement. i A still further object of our invention is to provide a yarn covering spindle which accepts a range of spool sizes.

Other and further objects of our invention will appear from the following description.

In general our invention contemplates the provision of a yarn covering spindle in which a generally U- shaped housing carries spaced outer bearing rings which receive balls located in integral spaced raccways at the lower end of the spindle to permit a driving belt to engage a pulley on the shaft between the bearings and in which the upper end of the shaft carries a pair of spaced resilient centrifugal clutch members which receive the hub of the covering yarn spool and provide a driving engagement therewith when the shaft is driven.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The FIGURE is a sectional view with parts broken away of our improved yarn covering spindle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Our improved yarn covering spindle assembly, indicated generally by the reference character 10, is adapted to be mounted on a frame 12. A generally U- shaped bearing support housing has a threaded extension 16 which passes through a hole 18 in the frame. Respective washers 20 and 22 formed of a suitable resilient material such as natural or synthetic rubber, are located above and below the frame 12. A nut 24 received by the extension 16 is adapted to be screwed onto the extension so as firmly to clamp the housing 14 to the frame 12.

We form the lower leg 26 of the housing 14 with a recess 28 for receiving O-rings 30 which engage an outer bearing ring 32. A plurality of rolling elements such as balls 34 are located between the outer raceway formed in ring 32 and an inner raceway 36 integrally formed on the shaft 38.

The upper housing leg 40 is formed with a recess 42 which receives O-rings 44 which engage an outer ring 46 of an upper bearing assembly. Balls 48 are located between the raceway formed in ring 46 and an inner integral raceway 50 formed on shaft 38 at a location spaced from that of the inner raceway 36.

We secure a pulley 52 to the portion of shaft 38 between the two legs 26 and 40 by any suitable means such, for example, as by a key 54. Pulley 52 is adapted to receive a belt 56 driven by any suitable means (not shown) to rotate the shaft 38. If desired, we may provide our assembly with a can 58 surrounding the upper end of the shaft 38. Any suitable means, such for example as a collar 60, may be employed to secure the can 58 in place on the upper leg 40 of the housing 14.

Our assembly includes a lower clutch member 62 having a hub 64 the bottom of which is formed with an annular recess 66. In mounting the clutch member 62 on shaft 38 wefirst place a positioning ring in a groove formed in the shaft. Next we heat an insert 68 of synthetic resin, drop it onto. the ring 70 and permit it to cool so as to be assembled on the shaft with a shrink fit. Finally the clutch member 62 is assembled on the shaft witha shrinkfit, with insert 68 disposed in recess 66. An annular recess' 72 located in the hub 64 receives an O-ring 74. We form the hub 64- with a shoulder 76 adapted to receive the hub 78 of the covering yarn spool' having end flanges 80 and 82. The O- ring 74 sealingly engages the inner surface of the'hub 78. Spring fingers 86 on the hub 64 drivingly engage the inner surface of the hub 78 when shaft 38 is driven in a manner to be described. Hub 78 supports a supply of covering yarn 84 which is held on the hub by flanges 80 and 82.

Our assembly includes an upper centrifugal clutch member indicated generally by the reference character 88 having a hub 90 formed with a recess 92 which receives an insert 94 of a suitable synthetic resin. A ring 96 on shaft 38 locates the insert 94 to permit the insert and clutch member 88 to be assembled on shaft 38 with shrink fits. An annular groove 98 in the hub 90 receives an O-ring 100 which sealingly engages the inner surface of the hub 78. We form the hub 90 with a plurality of spring fingers 102 which, as will be described hereinbelow, drivingly engage the inner surface of the hub 78 when the shaft 38 is driven.

A bore 104 formed in the extension 16 registers with a bore 106 formed in the shaft 38. A core yarn 110 is adapted to be advanced through the bores 104 and 106 and out of a mouth 108 at the upper end of the bore We form the lower end of the hub 64 with a periph eral shroud 114 adapted to cooperate with an annular flange 116 on the upper edgeof leg 40 to prevent fouling of the covering yarn 84 on the shaft when no can 58 is used.

In operation of our improved yarn covering spindle the core yarn 1l0'f1rst is threaded through the bores 104 and 106 and out of mouth 108 in any suitable manner known to the art. When that has been done, the covering yarn 84 is started on the core yarn 110 in any suitable manner known to the art. Next, belt 56 is driven to drive pulley 52 to rotate shaft 38 and yarn 110 is drawn through the bores. As the shaft 38 comes up to speed, fingers 86 and 102 move outwardly under the action of centrifugal force to engage the inner surface of the hub 78. In this manner the covering yarn spool is driven in such a way that the covering yarn is wrapped around the core yarn. Owing to the fact that the driving pulley 52 is located between the two support bearings, and the fact that the hub 78 of the covering yarn spool is positively engaged in spaced locations along the length thereof, our assembly operates at very high speeds up to 50,000 rpm with very little noise and vibration. The various resilient members including washers and 22, O-rings 30 and 44 and O-rings 72 and 100, assist in minimizing noise and vibration. Since noise and vibration are held at a relatively low level, the assembly has a long life even when operated at high speeds. Heat development is low and the power requirement is relatively low. In addition to these advantages, our assembly accepts a range of spool sizes. The fact that the covering yarn spool is positively engaged at spaced locations along the length thereof and is mounted resiliently, also permits the assembly to accommodate unbalance in the covering yarn package without excessive vibration. i!

It will be'seen that we have accomplished the objects of our invention. We have provided an irnproved'yarn covering spindle assembly. Our assembly operates at speeds of up to 50,000 rpm. Noise and vibration are held to a very low level. Our assembly has a long life even when operated at high speeds. The heat generated is relatively low. Our assembly can tolerate unbalance in the covering yarn package.

It will be understood that certain features and sub combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of our claims. It is further obvious that various changes may be made in details within the scope of our invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that our invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and described.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim 1. Apparatus for applying a covering yarn from a spool having a hub to a core yarn including in combination, a shaft having an axial bore extending therethrough for receiving said core yarn, means supporting said shaft for rotary movement, centrifugal clutch means carried by said shaft for receiving the hub of said spool, and means for driving said shaft to cause said centrifugal clutch means to couple said spool to said shaft for rotation therewith.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said centrifugal clutch means comprises a pair of centrifugal clutch members at spaced locations along said shaft for engaging said spool hub at spaced locations therealong in response to rotary movement of said shaft.

3. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said centrifugal clutch means comprises a centrifugal clutch member having a hub secured to said shaft for rotation therewith and a plurality of spring fingers extending from said hub in a direction generally parallel to the axis of said shaft.

4. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said centrifugal clutch means comprises a centrifugal clutch member carried by said shaft for rotation therewith and shock absorbing means between said clutch member hub and the hub of said spool.

5. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said mounting means comprises spaced bearings on said shaft and in which said driving means comprises a pulley on said shaft between said bearings.

6. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said mounting means comprises a bearing housing having a pair of spaced arms and respective bearings disposed in said arms for supporting said shaft at spaced locations along the length thereof.

7. Apparatus as in claim 6 in which each of said arms is formed with a recess, each of said bearings including an outer ring and resilient means for mounting said outer rings respectively in the recesses of said arms.

8. Apparatus as in claim 7 in which said shaft is integrally formed with inner raceways at spaced locations therealong for cooperation with said outer rings, and rolling elements disposed between said rings and said raceways to form said bearings.

9. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said mounting means comprises a bearing housing, said apparatus including a frame, and resilient means for mounting said housing on said frame.

10. Apparatus for applying a covering yarn from a spool having a hub to a core yarn including in combination, a shaft having an axial bore therethrough for receiving said core yarn, means including a pair of bearings spaced along the length of said shaft for supporting said shaft for rotary movement. drive means on said shaft intermediate said bearings, and a pair of centrifugal clutch members carried by said shaft at spaced locations therealong for receiving said hub and for engaging said hub to drive said spool in response to rotation of said shaft.

11. Apparatus as in claim in which each of said clutch members comprises a hub and spring fingers extending axially from said hub.

12. Apparatus as in claim 11 including shock absorbing means between said clutch member hubs and said spool hub.

13. Apparatus as in claim 10 in which said shaft mounting means comprises a frame, a bearing housing and resilient means mounting said housing on said frame.

14. Apparatus as in claim 10 in which said mounting means comprises a bearing housing having a pair of spaced arms, each of said arms being formed with a recess, each of said bearings comprising an outer ring, and resilient means mounting said rings in said recesses.

15. Apparatus as in claim 14 in which each of said means mounting said rings in said recesses and resilient means for mounting said bearing housing on said frame and in which each of said clutch members comprises a hub and spring fingers extending axially from said hub, said apparatus including shock absorbing means between said clutch member hubs and said spool hub.

17. Apparatus as in claim 10 in which said mounting means comprises a bearing housing having an upper end, said clutch members including a lower clutch member having a lower end adjacent to said housing upper end, an upstanding annular flange on the upper end of said housing, and a shroud on the lower end of said lower clutch member for cooperation with said flange to prevent fouling of said covering yarn on said shaft. 

1. Apparatus for applying a covering yarn from a spool having a hub to a core yarn including in combination, a shaft having an axial bore extending therethrough for receiving said core yarn, means supporting said shaft for rotary movement, centrifugal clutch means carried by said shaft for receiving the hub of said spool, and means for driving said shaft to cause said centrifugal clutch means to couple said spool to said shaft for rotation therewith.
 2. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said centrifugal clutch means comprises a pair of centrifugal clutch members at spaced locations along said shaft for engaging said spool hub at spaced locations therealong in response to rotary movement of said shaft.
 3. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said centrifugal clutch means comprises a centrifugal clutch member having a hub secured to said shaft for rotation therewith and a plurality of spring fingers extending from said hub in a direction generally parallel to the axis of said shaft.
 4. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said centrifugal clutch means comprises a centrifugal clutch member carried by said shaft for rotation therewith and shock absorbing means between said clutch member hub and the hub of said spool.
 5. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said mounting means comprises spaced bearings on said shaft and in which said driving means comprises a pulley on said shaft between said bearings.
 6. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said mounting means comprises a bearing housing having a pair of spaced arms and respective bearings disposed in said arms for supporting said shaft at spaced locations along the length thereof.
 7. Apparatus as in claim 6 in which each of said arms is formed with a recess, each of said bearings including an outer ring and resilient means for mounting said outer rings respectively in the recesses of said arms.
 8. Apparatus as in claim 7 in which said shaft is integrally formed with inner raceways at spaced locations therealong for cooperation with said outer rings, and rolling elements disposed between said rings and said raceways to form said bearings.
 9. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said mounting means comprises a bearing housing, said apparatus including a frame, and resilient means for mounting said housing on said frame.
 10. Apparatus for applying a covering yarn from a spool having a hub to a core yarn including in combination, a shaft having an axial bore therethrough for receiving said core yarn, means including a pair of bearings spaced along the length of said shaft for supporting said shaft for rotary movement, drive means on said shaft intermediate said bearings, and a pair of centrifugal clutch members carried by said shaft at spaced locations therealong for receiving said hub and for engaging said hub to drive said spool in response to rotation of said shaft.
 11. Apparatus as in claim 10 in which each of said clutch members comprises a hub and spring fingers extending axially from said hub.
 12. Apparatus as in claim 11 including shock absorbing means between said clutch member hubs and said spool hub.
 13. Apparatus as in claim 10 in which said shaft mounting means comprises a frame, a bearing housing and resilient means mounting said housing on said frame.
 14. Apparatus as in claim 10 in which said mounting means comprises a bearing housing having a pair of spaced arms, each of said arms being formed with a recess, each of said bearings comprising an outer ring, and resilient means mounting said rings in said recesses.
 15. Apparatus as in claim 14 in which each of said bearings comprises an inner raceway integrally formed on said shaft.
 16. Apparatus as in claim 10 in which said mounting means comprises a frame, a bearing housing having a pair of arms, said arms being formed with recesses, each of said bearings coMprising an outer ring, resilient means mounting said rings in said recesses and resilient means for mounting said bearing housing on said frame and in which each of said clutch members comprises a hub and spring fingers extending axially from said hub, said apparatus including shock absorbing means between said clutch member hubs and said spool hub.
 17. Apparatus as in claim 10 in which said mounting means comprises a bearing housing having an upper end, said clutch members including a lower clutch member having a lower end adjacent to said housing upper end, an upstanding annular flange on the upper end of said housing, and a shroud on the lower end of said lower clutch member for cooperation with said flange to prevent fouling of said covering yarn on said shaft. 